Optimum Online Connection Issues?

Subject: optimum online: they're just not that into us

I'm receiving a crash course in broadband speed analysis. Thank you Hexatron for referring to Speedtest.net. I just added the app to my iPhone and discovered that my download speed is .57 Mbps at best. And the service drops in and out. I knew that it was very slow, because I am unable to watch anything on YouTube or Hulu. Has been happening for a few months despite many calls to Optimum. Every time (after being subjected to the indignity of following their computerized instructions before they allow me to actually speak to a "specialist" who isn't even located in the NYC area) they say that "everything looks fine" from their end, and then inevitably blame my router. My roommate has tried two routers, both out of the box and different brands, with no resolution to the problem.

I know that like any unhealthy (or in this case downright abusive) relationship, I need to call it quits, but I'm intimidated about finding someone new and anticipate with trepidation how much time the process will take (returning all of the paraphernalia, waiting around for the new guy to show up without having to take a personal day from work or using up valuable weekend hours).

It looks like the last post here complaining about these crooks was in June. Does anyone have any updates or advice? I have been looking in DSL, but thought I'd post here first to see if anyone had any suggestions... :oops:

jayce wrote: I called the State Atty General once again when the problems kicked in this week.

I tried calling optimum first, but once again they saw high packet loss on the line and insisted I be present so they could play around in my apartment again. i've been trying to get them to see that the problem is outside my building, but since they aren't getting many calls and complaints, its not working. They wanted me to endure my... no joke... 20th technician visit since January.

So... I am still a huge fan of involving the SAG's office. 800-342-3377
When I called them today they said that they don't get many calls for Cablevision anymore, so they were noting a dramatic improvement in Cablevision overall. I find this hard to believe. I really would recommend opening a ticket with them.

i know i'm too late on this, but i'm calling this week.

i've had 2 appointments broken... once when they said the guy rang the doorbell, the next when they claimed i cancelled the appointment. nice.
it would be funny if there were any cheap alternative.

huihui, glad to help.

Huihui - how many network devices do you have connected to your router? Just to be sure that it's not causing an issue, you can try takig it out of line and see what happens... You can also trying pinging other devices on your network to see if there's any packet loss within the network.

thanks WhyFi! will try what you suggest. xlizellx, i did notice how lose the wire is outside of the front of our apartment.

hexatron - i'll keep calling optimum as well. looks like we live on the same block, so maybe enough complaints from similar addresses will encourage them to do something about the slow service. will talk to my neighbors and see if they have the same problem.

I'm still confused by everyone's internet issues with Optimum (Cablevision), there must be some serious infrastructure issues from building to building.

I constantly get rates like this, I just ran this on speakeasy.net against the NYC server:

Last Result:
Download Speed: 26650 kbps (3331.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 5037 kbps (629.6 KB/sec transfer rate)

I have the boost for Optimum online which theoretically should give me 30000 kpbs downstream/5000 kbps upstream max. I also have 3 phone lines via Optimum Voice and Optimum TV.

Is anyone else have positive experiences with Optimum like myself?

perplexed wrote: ...there must be some serious infrastructure issues from building to building.

Yes, there are - even between individual units of the same building - have you seen the work they do? It's laughable. I think that yours is rare case.

Here's mine - pretty normal for me, when I'm actually connected


I'm not a Boost customer, nor will I be. They dangled that over my head a few times during the month-long battle to get usable service. "Well, sir, Boost service is up to X times faster than your current service." "Yeah, well, my current service is zero, so it would still be zero, wouldn't it?"

Pretty pathetic. I'm not directly connected to the cable modem, but indirectly over an 802.11g router (although that shouldn't be the rate limiting step based on my speed test). For the people with faster connections, are you wired, or wireless?

I connect through a router shared by numerous devices, and the tests I posted were hardwired since I need the best speed possible for my work laptop. I can also confirm that my neighbor across the hall and down one floor was having some of the same issues noted in this thread. I've also looked at the mangled wiring job at the back of my building, and also am amazed that my signal is as good as it is.

I also did another test over wireless-G this time:



This is why I prefer to be hardwired into the router.

I really think that these guy's (the techs, that is) numbers are based on the number of house calls they make, not the number of problems that they actually resolve... They're always lookin' to replace a wire or the modem, have you sign their little yellow invoice and get the hell out.

Speaking of FIOS, it's available now in the Newswalk building on Dean between 6th and Carlton--Internet and phone only. No ETA yet for FIOS television. And a new condo dev on the the same block advertises 'FIOS ready' or somesuch. So hopefully fiber goodness is gradually creeping into PH.

I seriously doubt that switching to FIOS will solve all your problems considering Verizon's track record with service, and as a price comparison you will be paying more for the service for comparable up/download speeds.

I dropped Verizon as a provider almost two years ago and couldn't be happier.

same. it's becoming hard to get important things done.
reaaally leaning towards verizon, though i'm sure it's terrible. it can't get any worse than this without unplugging completely.

Funny, I just retested, and did better than last time.



I still maintain that things have been running slower than usual.

I've been having the same problem for over a month - service is generally slow but from the afternoon and later it becomes REALLY SLOW - techs from ghettovision were here 3 times - did nothing - always told me the problem is outside and I should wait 48 hours and that it will be fixed. I am in washington avenue and empire in crown heights.

here's the test i ran just now - it's much slower later in the day.... urg !